Celebrating the rich sporting heritage of the Leeds Area assisting the city's
older population living in care. #ReplayLeeds
Sporting Memories Network Project. Leeds October 2012 - 31 Mar 2013
The Sporting Memories Network (SMN) are working with Care Homes across Leeds to test out an innovative approach to reminiscence therapy, which will look back at the city's rich sporting heritage. The SMN will train care home staff, volunteers, relatives and able residents to plan and deliver sports- based reminiscence activities, using local and national archive images, reports and memorabilia. These activities will help older residents to recall their favourite sporting memories and to tell their own stories. By tapping into their love of sport, the well-being, self esteem and socialisation of residents will be promoted. The project has been funded by the Skills for Care Workforce Development Innovation Fund and includes a robust evaluation of the work.
Leeds supporters The project has the support of Leeds City Council, NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds and Leeds Care Association. Images are central to the project, and we are delighted to have received pledges of support & assistance in the work from Leeds United Foundation, Leeds Rugby Foundation, Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, Ginetta Cars and Harewood Hillclimb along with Historypin and West Yorkshire Archive Services.
Memories of local sports stars past and present
Current stars and coaches, as well as legendary names from the past from Leeds United, Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Carnegie and Yorkshire County Cricket Club, have shared their own favourite sporting memories in support of the project. All sports fans in the Leeds area are encouraged to share their own special sports memories on the SMN Replay websites during the project. Each memory submitted will then be available for use by the care homes in their activities with residents.
On the launch of the project, Councillor Lucinda
Yeadon, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Sport is a
great way to tackle loneliness and isolation among older people. Reminiscing
about sport - what people saw, what they did - can help bring generations
together as fans share their memories and enthusiasm, be that about the heading
ability of John Charles, the pace of Freddie Truman or the cycling ability of
Beryl Burton."
Skills for CEO Sharon Allen said: ‘This is exactly the sort of innovative project The Workforce Development Innovation Fund was set up to support and there's no doubt introducing sports-based reminiscence activities will have a real impact for those organisations taking part."
Kevin Howells, Acting Chief Executive for NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds said: "We think this is a fantastic initiative that will help local people with dementia. We are really pleased to support this innovative campaign that we hope will help deliver sports-based activities that will help people with memory loss problems. We look forward to seeing this campaign develop."
Peter Hodkinson, Chair, Leeds Care Association "It is the aim of Leeds Care Association to promote best practice within our membership and this is ultimately based on the well-being of the people we care for. Leading academic institutions as well as organisations such as the Alzheimer's Society recognise the importance of constructive activity and occupation in enabling people to lead meaningful and fulfilled lives and the contribution of the Sporting Memories Network to this task is invaluable. The LCA very much welcomes this initiative which when implemented will certainly enrich the lives of many people across the City."
We will be using #ReplayLeeds across social media sites for related news and posts
